simplicity
[sim-plis-i-tee]
noun, plural sim·plic·i·ties.
the state, quality, or an instance of being simple.
freedom from complexity, intricacy, or division into parts: an organism of great simplicity.
absence of luxury, pretentiousness, ornament, etc.; plainness: a life of simplicity.
freedom from deceit or guile; sincerity; artlessness; naturalness: a simplicity of manner.
lack of mental acuteness or shrewdness: Politics is not a field for simplicity about human nature.
RELATED CONTENT
RELATED WORDS
modesty, candor, restraint, unity, purity, clarity, integrity, directness, chastity, severity, uniformity, singleness, ease, easiness, homogeneity, naturalness, monotony, innocence, openness, plainness
Nearby words
- simpleton,
- simplex,
- simplex method,
- simplicidentate,
- simpliciter,
- simplicius,
- simplification,
- simplify,
- simplism,
- simplistic
Origin of simplicity
SYNONYMS FOR simplicity
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for simplicity
simplicity
noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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simplicity
late 14c., "singleness of nature, unity, indivisibility; immutability," from Old French simplicite (12c., Modern French simplicité), from Latin simplicitatem (nominative simplicitas) "state of being simple, frankness, openness, artlessness, candor, directness," from simplex (genitive simplicis) "simple" (see simplex). Sense of "ignorance" is from c.1400; that of "simplicity of expression, plainness of style" is early 15c.
Middle English also had simplesse, from French, attested in English from mid-14c. in sense "humility, lack of pride," late 14c. as "wholeness, unity;" c.1400 as "ignorance."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper